SEOUL, 18 April – The PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG) has appointed three vice presidents, as part of its second phase of organizational reshuffle aimed at improving management in order to effectively reflect POCOG’s expanded responsibility in its Games preparation.

In light of the latest appointments, POCOG’s new organizational structure now consists of three major divisions, namely games planning, games operations, and games infrastructure.

The new Secretary-General, Vice President of Planning and Administration is Mr. Young-jin KWAK, former Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Kwak will oversee planning, general affairs, HR, finance, marketing, PR, media and culture.

Mr. Dong-hoo MOON, who, prior to the reshuffle, was the secretary-general of the organizing committee, has been appointed the vice president of games operations. Moon will look after sports, NOC/NPC services, media operations, international relations and protocol.

In the position of the Vice President of Games Facilities, former Vice Governor of Gangwon Province, Mr. Sang-pyo KIM has been named. Kim will be responsible for various infrastructure projects such as competition venues and accommodations, as well as technology-related FAs, like IT and telecommunication.

The appointments came in effect following the approval by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. A special, seven-member nomination board had recommended five candidates, and the official selection process picked two finalists who were then confirmed by POCOG’s executive board and the general assembly.

Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation Dr. Richard Starke today released the following statement:

Minister Starke and ASC Chair John Short present gold medalist Kaillie Humphries with a certificate at the Olympic & Paralympic Salute on April 3

“2014 has been a fantastic year for Alberta winter sport and I am so proud of all of Alberta’s athletes. Albertans have been at the centre of many amazing stories this year, showing the world once again that Alberta produces some of the best, most passionate and dedicated athletes in the world.

“Albertans brought home eight of Canada’s 25 medals from the Olympics, seven of 16 from the Paralympics, and 125 from the Arctic Winter Games. These are outstanding results, and I congratulate each and every Albertan who was fortunate enough to be part of any of those Games. These athletes are mentors and role models for the next generation of Olympians and Paralympians and it is important we celebrate that.

“Through Budget 2014 and in partnership with the Alberta Sport Connection, the Alberta government continues to proudly support our athletes, coaches, support staff, families and communities as they pursue excellence in the sports they love. Whether it is by ensuring there are world-class facilities to train in, providing funding to allow them to reach their dreams, or helping foster a culture of active, healthy living across the province, we do all we can to make sure Alberta’s athletes are the very best.

“With the snow finally melting, we now turn our attention to summer events, including the 2014 Alberta Summer Games in Airdrie. I know that the passion Albertans have for sport will continue to inspire us as we work towards more active communities, more Albertans participating in sport, and a more active Alberta.”

Sandra Jansen, Associate Minister of Community and Family Safety, today issued the following statement:

“I want to congratulate all of Alberta’s Paralympians on their spectacular performance in the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games. These athletes showed us the meaning of determination, strength, and dedication.

“And with that, it is time for us to lower the Pride flag, which was raised at the start of the Olympics to show that Alberta is a province of diversity and inclusion. Like other provinces and cities across this country, we raised the flag to show solidarity and support the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people all over the world.

“Alberta is a thriving, diverse place, and we are going to continue to promote these values every day.”

Following the Laval Company’s Success, the Red Carpet Is Being Rolled Out for Other Large-Scale International Projects

NEWSCANADA-PLUS SPORTS WATCH —

LAVAL, QC, March 11, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ – Renowned for having realized the stage design of several shows worldwide and for its technical performance during the Vancouver and London Olympic Games, Laval’s Show Canada recently completed its largest contract to date, the stage design of the Olympic and Paralympic opening and closing ceremonies in Sochi. After gaining worldwide recognition thanks to this performance, Show Canada has been solicited for a preliminary mandate leading to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2018 Fifa World Cup. The company is also planning on developing the Chinese market, where it will open a factory in September. Over 80% of the company’s sales are generated by the export of designs, systems and know-how.

A Major Success in Sochi
In the space of barely ten months, Show Canada demonstrated ingenuity and creativity to meet the challenge of delivering the stage elements destined for the floor of the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi (a surface of 13,000 square metres) that would be part of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic opening and closing ceremonies. These elements included 30-metre-long suspended islands, stage elevators and columns that were over 30 metres high. In short, a major technical challenge that enabled Russia to offer the world a grand spectacle on the occasion of the Olympic Games.

In Laval, over 150 people contributed to the design and manufacture of the parts that were then assembled and tested in Lachine’s old Dominion Bridge facility, which had been rented for the purpose. All of the elements required for the construction of the sets and backdrops were shipped to Sochi in containers or on cargo airplanes chartered exclusively for the occasion. For the purposes of this Olympian project, Show Canada created a division in Russia. In fact, the company is planning to take advantage of its presence in the area to develop trade operations over the next few years.

“We are very pleased to share Quebec’s stage expertise in Russia and to promote our knowledge and creativity on the international stage. Our most recent project in Sochi represented our greatest challenge, namely because of difficulties linked to obtaining the visas required for our employees to travel to Russia. The team at the Laval Technopole International Business Centre played a key role in guiding us through the various steps, by accelerating time frames for visa acquisition, by facilitating relationships with the Russian Consulate in Montreal, by providing advice on opening bank accounts and by offering referrals for legal services in Russia. Their support helped us meet deadlines and successfully complete our projects,” underlined Jean Labadie, Founding President of Show Canada.

“The Laval Technopole International Business Centre is proud to support Show Canada in the development of its international business activities and to contribute to its position as the world leader in the field of specialized stage and architectural design. This company is firmly established in Laval, namely thanks to its 6500-square-metre factory, roughly the size of the Bell Centre, and because it generates major economic benefits locally thanks to large-scale contracts. The future could not be brighter for this ever-growing company and we will continue to support their international projects,” stated Véronique Proulx, Director, Laval Technopole International Business Centre.

About Show Canada
Founded in 1992, the Groupe Labadie was rechristened Show Canada in 1998 after successfully realizing a number of different stage and architectural design projects for the Cirque du Soleil, including the La Nouba show featured at Walt Disney World in Florida. In order to meet its logistical needs, Show Canada chose to set up operations in Laval in 2005. The company includes over 150 employees and collaborators. Today, Show Canada enjoys worldwide acclaim as it realizes grand and highly complex events. Since the very first project for Comerica Park in Detroit, more than 800 projects, both large and small, have been shipped from its workshop to the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. www.show-canada.com.

About the LAVAL TECHNOPOLE International Business Centre
The International Business Centre is a division of LAVAL TECHNOPOLE, Laval’s economic development agency. The International Business Centre focuses on four areas: exporting, international sourcing and logistics, international marketing, and innovation. To help further the development of this sector, the International Business Centre organizes seminars and workshops, networking activities, trade missions; it hosts foreign buyers and offers personalized consulting services. www.lavaltechnopole.com/internationalbusinesscenter. The LAVAL TECHNOPOLE International Business Centre receives financial support from Canada Economic Development and from the ministère des Relations Internationales, de la Francophonie, et du Commerce extérieur. The LAVAL TECHNOPOLE International Business Centre is a member of Commerce International Québec (www.ciquebec.ca).

“Team Canada’s performance at the Olympic Games a few weeks ago was thrilling to watch, and an inspiration to all Canadians. Now it’s time for our Paralympic athletes to compete on the world stage, where I know they will represent Canada with pride.

“Forty-nine Canadian athletes have earned their place at the Paralympic Games. Here in Alberta, we’ll be cheering extra loud for the nine Paralympic team members from our great province, and for the contributions of the 23 Alberta coaches and support staff that will be in Sochi.

“Our athletes are among the best in the world, especially when it comes to the Winter Olympics. Alberta has a strong culture of winter sport, and our government is proud to support our athletes, coaches and facilities by funding all levels of sport, from playground to the podium. Our Paralympic athletes inspire and teach us to focus not on what’s missing, but to focus on what’s there.

“On behalf of the Alberta Government, congratulations to our Alberta athletes for making Canada’s Paralympic Team and best of luck to all the Canadians at the Games in Sochi. We will be watching proudly and cheering you on. Go Canada!”